National Republican., 1887-11-10
a Diplomatic Episode.

Miss Olive Rlsley Seward, the adopted
daughter of ex.Secretary Seward, has fur
nieLed an article to !ScrijHer'S N0gt.iHe for
November entitled "a Diplomatic Eplsoie,m
which is history Of the attempted pur-
chase Of the Danish islands Of the West In
dies,
The article 10 fully up to the standard
of excellence displayed by the accom-
plshed lady in her previous literary
work. Besides which, It furnishes us with
the inside history of great question, and
gives facts heretofore unknown as to the
causes which led to the failure OF tue nego.
iaticns.
She briefly alludes to the defects both
in the home government and foreign
policy OF the nation that was disclosed
by the commencement Of the great war of
the rebellion, one OF the results of the lat
ter being that the government was abso.
iutely without allies, or even friends, until
the hostile attitude OF England, France,
and the other western powers of Europe
induced Russia, always in the opposition,
10 tender the friendship Of the great des-
potism to the great republic then engaged
IN life and death struggle with despotsm.
Following Russia, but from opposite
causes, Miss Seward finds Denmark as our
only other friendly power in Europe, and
the only one giving any substantial aid by
the manner in which its West Indian ports
were allowed to be used.
She speaks in terms of deserved praise OF
The "Arm attitude" of friendship these two
nations held TO the government, the graft
tude OF the people, and the friendly feeling
OF the administration, and then says;
Negotiations with these friendly states-with
Denmark for the purchase OF the islands Of
81, John and 81. Thomas aud with Russia for
the acquisition of her American possessions
were the first irrelative foreign transactions
which the United States engaged in after the
war.
After speaking OF the great advantages
cerived from the purchase OF Alaska, the
article continues:
The Danish negotiation holds an Interest
far different from that which attaches te n
brilliant snceess. We may read In this episode
Oi diplomatic history the political foresight
which sought to strengthen our power on the
Atlantic coast ana give US control of the An
titles, aud also the series ofcombluuti0us which
led tn a failure OF the mea.urc obviously Il,
wise and prudent as the Alaska purchase; aui
further, we may see how, by the failure Of thj
plan, the Rccretion of territory south o, the
southern shore has been postponed for many
years and how sh dow OF reproach has been
cast upon that integrity und solidarity which
should be confidently depended on US under
lyirg and sustaining the national system Of
negotiations.
The unprotected condition of the Atlantic
coast line tf he United States was never fully
eompTehended until exp sed by the expert.
ences ofwar II was then demonstrated that
the command of the harbor Of Nassau. or
come other equally good In the West Indies,
was indispensable to successful naval opera,
lions, II not to marine enterprise, on thai
coas', The want OF such q port was detri.
mental 10 the national cause beyond estimate,
gyhile the advantage TO tho enemy in po,
Messing facilities. not accorded TO us In the
British West Indian harbors, enabled them to
sGcure prizes and ovadc the blockade, PRO.
longing the war at a COS. Of thousands Of
J!yes and uncounted treasure.
TIE next sentence 10 possibly a reyela.
lion 10 the vast majority Of the people OF